UK & World News

Fire Hero Boy's Mother In Tearful Tribute To Son

The mother of an eight-year-old New York boy who died in a trailer home fire after saving six relatives said she is proud of his actions.

Tyler Doohan has been hailed as a hero after he was killed trying to rescue two other relatives from the blaze on Monday morning in Rochester, New York.

His mother Crystal Vrooman could not hold back tears as she spoke of Tyler.

"It makes me so proud that he went the way that he did," she told local TV WROC.

"He made it big, he made it really big and I'm really proud."

She remembered him as a happy boy.

"He just wanted to have fun. He never wanted to grow up and now he doesn't have to," she said.

Tyler was spending the Martin Luther King Jr holiday with his grandfather and other relatives when the fire broke out in the early hours of the morning, spreading quickly through the trailer as the family were asleep.

Tyler managed to wake six people up, then went back to try to rescue his disabled uncle and grandfather, but all three died in the burning home.

His actions have touched the nation. A fundraising page set up on YouCaring.com has raised almost $50,000 (£30,000) to help pay for the boy's funeral.

A local fire house is planning to pay tribute to Tyler at his funeral.

"I know Tyler would be so happy to see that to know that they're doing that and I think he deserves it 100 percent," said Ms Vrooman.